Means and method for cementing and applying building tape



Jan. 2, 1945. w, PETTY 7 2,366,674

MEANS AND METHOD FOR CEMENTING AND APPLYING BUILDING'TAPES Filed March 25, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet l Jan 2, 1945. w. PETTY 2,366,674

R GEMENTING AND APPLYING BUILDING TAPES s Sheets-Shet 2 MEANS AND METHOD F0 Filed March 25, 1942 MEANS AND METHOD FOR CEMENTING AND APPLYING BUILDING TAPES Filed March 25, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet s r Patented Jan. 2,1945

MEANS AND METHOD FOR CEMENTING AND APPLYING BUILDING TAPE Wiley Petty, La Grange Park, Ill., assignor" to United States Gypsum Company, a corporation of Illinois Chicago,

Application March 23, 1942, Serial No. 435,852

24 Claims.

This invention relates to a tape cementing and tape applying device, and more particularly to a portable tool constructed to apply adhesive to a building tape and simultaneously apply the tape to the joint between wallboards of the usual building construction.

The invention is adapted for use in connection with any suitable building tape and particularly tape such as described in th Page Patent No. 2,180,433, issued November 21, 1939. The tape described in the Page patent is formed of rope fiber, paper or wood fiber, or the like, and is provided with a plurality of perforations distributed applicator for building tape, which will be cheap to manufacture, convenient in use and will not throughout the length of the tape, so that when I the tape is pasted on a wallboard joint by means of a suitable adhesive, the adhesive will ooze out or be pressed outwardly through the perforations and may be leveled off at the outer surface of the tape to provide a smooth surface for the reception of paint, paper, or other wall decorations.

The tape is usually pressed against the wall surface and smoothed off by means of the 'usual wide blade spatula trowel or the like. i

The tape shown in the above-noted patent is also preferably provided with beveled or feathered edges in order to provide a substantially invisible wallboard joint,

While the present invention is particularly adapted for use inconnection with perforated and beveled tape of the character described, it is also suitable for cementing and applying any ordinary. tape i common use in the wall construction art.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a comparatively small portable hand-operated tool which may or may not have a spatula intimately associated therewith for applying and smoothing the cemented tape as it is applied to the wall directly from the device itself. Means is provided for the use of interchangeable spatulas so that the tape may. conveniently be applied to either fiat surfaces or wall corners.

A further object is the provision of a comparatively small portable tool adapted to support a supply of tape and an associated supply of cement in such a relationship that a properly cemented secting wall surfaces.

easily get out of orderjalso, in which the tape may be conveniently applied to either a substantially flat wall surface or in the corners of inter- Also, wherein the application of the tape to the wall surface and the application of a suitable adhesive may be accomplished solely by hand manipulation of the tool itself.

Further objects will be'apparentfrom the specification and appended claims. i

' In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodimentof the invention with the cover removed so that the container may be filled with a Supply of adhesive. r

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of one'of the interchangeable spatulas adapted for use with the hand tool to apply tape to the corners of intersecting walls.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view through the longitudinal medial plane of the embodiment shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a front elevation of the delivery end of the device.

Fig. 5 is a detail sectional view taken on a. line substantially corresponding to line 5-5 of Fig. 3 and illustrates a preferred contour of slot between the container wall and the tape-for forming the adhesive coating on the.tape

Fig. 6 is a detail sectional view taken on a line .substantially corresponding to line 6-6 of Fig. 3

tape may be withdrawn from the device and simultaneously applied to the wall surface.

It is also an object to provide a portable tool of the character described wherein a tape may be withdrawn from the device simultaneously with its application to a wall surface and in which the withdrawn tape will be provided on at least one side with a comparatively thick coating of adhesive of non-uniform thickness transversely of the tape. The adhesive coating is preferably in the form of a thickened rib of adhesive along the longitudinal center line of the tape and of diminishing thickness toward the edges thereof. Another object is the provision of a portable and illustrates a means for securing the spatula on the tool. 1 i Fig. '7 is a longitudinal sectional view of another embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 8 is a top plan view of the embodiment illustrated in Fig. '7.

Fig. 9 is a detail sectional view through the adhesive chamber and tape supporting follower and is taken on a line substantially corresponding to line 9--9 of Fig. 7.-

Fig. 10 is a front view of the tape delivery portion of the embodiment shownin Figs. 7 and 8.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the em.-

.bodiment illustrated in Figs. 1' to 6, inclusive,

comprises a container l havingsubstantially vertical side walls 2 and 3, an inclined front wall 4,

and a preferably substantially vertical rear wall.

5, as shown in} detail in Fig. 3. This provides a l chamber adapted to receive a supply of heavy viscous adhesive sufficient to coat a supply of tape of predetermined length. The container is provided with a rearwardly and downwardly extending handle 6 bywhich the tool may be manipulated.

The outside of the frontangular wall 4 is pro- 'vided with an elongated slot 1 terminating at'its lower end in a pocket 8 adapted to receive the or the like.

' er edge of the wall.

end of the handle of a suitable spatula or trowel- 9. These spatulas are preferably formed 61;, plastic material and are in common use for the hand application of tapeof .the character described. The spatula 9 shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 4 is provided with a wide blade l adapted for applying and smoothing the tape on to a substantially flat wall surface. When it is desired to apply the tape in a corner formed by intersecting walls, a suitable spatula ll (Fig. 2) having an angular blade l2 ma be used.- These spatulas are interchangeable in the slot 1 and after being inserted in position in the slot I are retained rigidly associated with the tool by means of a turn button l3 The side walls are provided with downwardly extending oppositely disposed bars or roll guides l4, one bar being secured to each side wall 2 and 3, respectively, and the lower end of each side. 1 bar is provided with an elongated slot adapted to, receive the pintle [6 of a tape-supporting spool IT. A supply of tape I 8 is wound on this spool as illustrated, and is adapted to be withdrawn therefrom in one direction of the arrow and over the edge of the end of the spatula as shown in Fig. 3.

The withdrawing and cementing of the tape is accomplished as the tape is being applied; to the wall Joint of the plasterboards and is being pressed thereon by means of the spatula as it 'is drawn along the line of the joint. A wire loop or frame I 9 extends outwardly from the front wall 4 of the device for the purpose of holding the tape outwardly from the tool and making a less abrupt bend over the end of the spatula as the tape is pressed along the wall surface.

The spool I! has a comparatively large diameter core so that when a supply of tape is wound thereon and the spool positioned as illustrated, the tape itself forms an arcuate floor for the container I, and the cement or the like in the H container rests directly upon the tape. The spool is provided with comparatively large flanges 2| within-which flanges the container walls 2 and. 3 are positioned so that the flanges are closely i adjacent the walls, but free rotation of the spool is permitted.

Springs 22 are suspended from the container on studs 23 and the lower end of each spring -is'engaged with its respective end of the spool';

pintle l6, so that the spool may be freely rotated. When the tape is completely unwound from the spool, the flanges engage stops in the form of shoulders 24 on the frame so that the -core of the spool will not bear against the cement-forming lower'edge of the container wall 5.

When a supply of tape is wound on the spool the bottom edge of the rear wall 5. The lower edge of this rear wall 5 is preferably of a contour substantially as illustrated in Fig. 5, so that a slot 26 is formed between the tape and the low- The slot 26 is materially enlarged at 21 intermediate the edges of the tape so that as the tape and the cement coating thereon is withdrawn from the device, the cement coating is formed on the tape of a contour corresponding to the shape of the slot; therefore, the cement coating formed and compressed on the tape comprises a central longitudinal ridge of considerable thickness and with the coating diminishing in thickness toward the edges of the of .tape may be wound applied to the wall and the tool is moved along as illustrated in Fig. 3, the springs cause the tape P? tobear against a roller 25 so that the tape forming the floor of the chamber is closely adjacent tape. The lower edge of the container wall! is preferably provided with spaced ribs 28, to maintain the proper spacing of the tape from thecontainer wall and to assist in providing the def sired thickness of cement coating. I The lower ends of the vided with wire springs 29,- which springs are tensioned against the sides of the pintle l6 .of the tape spool. These springs are each provided adjacent their lower ends with an ofiset portion forming a shoulder 30 so that when the spool pushed downwardly against the tension of the spool-supporting springs 22, the springs 29 will snap over the pintles IS in a sufficiently lowered .and retain the spool thereon. A- removable handle 3| is provided with-pin and slot or other suitable engagement with the pintle 16 as shown, so that when the spool is in its lowered position, a desired supply of tape may be wound thereon. After the tape is wound on the spool, the springs 29 are-retracted and the spool is then supported in the position shown in Fig. 3 by means of the springs 22.

A cover 32 is provided for the container. I andthis cover may removably be retained in position by means of spring catches 33' secured to the side walls of the container.

In using the device, the end of the tape is withdrawn sufliciently to extend over the end of the blade H) of the spatula. The tape is then the line of the joint with the spatula pressing and smoothing the tape thereon. The cement fills the joint between the edges of the plasterboard and the excess cement oozes out through the perforations of the tape and is smoothed down by the spatula.

The device is adapted to apply the tape either side walls or ceilings, or in the corners of a room as previously mentioned. When applying the tape to the corners of a room, the spatula shown in Fig. 2 is interchanged with the spatula 9, and the tool is held substantially on the bisecting angle of the wall corner so that the spatula shapes the tape and presses it evenly into the corner and simultaneously smooths down both edges of the tape.

In applying the adhesive coating to the tape, it is desirable that the adhesive coating should be compressed on the tape in a form-retaining predetermined contour sothat the coating will retain its shape until it is pressed against the wall. In the device as illustrated in Fig. 3, the corner formed by'the intersection of the rear wall 5 of the adhesive chamber with the tape forms a compression chamber as shown at as the spool rotates in the direction of the arrow. As the tape is withdrawn, the heavy viscous cement tends to accumulate under. pressure in the corner 34 and slot 26 and is therefore pressed smoothly against the tape to form a coatingof the desired form-retaining contour.

. The type of cement commonly used is very thick and viscous and there is no tendency for this material to pass out through the opening around the stop roller 25; in fact, the direction of rotation of the spool and tape thereon tends to cause the viscous material to draw away from this opening and therefore there is no tendency for the material to pass therethrough.

Figs. 7 to 10, inclusive, illustrate another em bodiment of the invention and this embodiment comprises an elongated rectangular adhesive guidebar II are pro position so that a suppl drawn from'theslot between the blocks.

The free portion 63 of the tape is tion and at the same time container 35 having a bottom wall 36, end walls 31 and 38, and upwardly extended side walls 39.

The container is adapted to receive a supply of cement 40 and the end wall 38 is provided with an enlarged opening through which the tape may be withdrawn from the container. The bottom wall 36 of the container is extended outwardly beyond the end wall -38 as shown at 42 and a plate 43 is-secured to the underside of this extended portion of the bottom wall. The plate 43 extends laterally beyond each end of the bottom wall toprovide finger grips 44 for use in .manipulating the device when applying tape to the wall.

Cementapplying and distributing blocks 45 and 4B are removably mounted on ina position to close the opening 4| in the end wall 38 bymeans of bolts 41 and thumb nuts 48.

The uppersurface of the distributor block 45 is cut away preferably on an arcuate line as shown at 49 so as to provide a compression chamber'50 distributor blocks which latter 0211118, -so-called die, so that acompressedcoating ofsthefdesire'd cross-sectional .contour will be applied. won the tape in the same manner as previously described.

The inner corner 55 of ;the die block 45 acts as ascraper to smooth down anddistribute any excess adhesive whichimay be forced through the perforations of the tape. The weightof the follower and the roll of tape thereon retains the tape always in intimate contact-with the body of adhesive in the container. 7

In usingthe deviceythe freeend of thetape may he appliedtothewall and the device moved the extension 42 the tape may be drawn thereover as it is with- The opening between the blocks provides a slot 52 therebetween, (Fig. 10), from-which the tape is withdrawn and the contourof this slot deterpressureto retain the follower mines the transverse contour of the cement coating. The contour of this slot is similar to that previously described and is provided withan enlargement 53 to provide a longitudinal rib of cement along thecentral line of the tape.

A combined follower and tape support 54 is mounted in the container so that the follower rests upon the supply of cement. Each sidewall of the follower has an upwardly extending portion 55 having a vertical groove 56 therein which groove co-operates'with a guide rib 51 on the adjacent container wall, so that the follower may freely be moved up and down in the container and will be supported upon the surface of the cement.

A spool of tape 58 is wound on a: core 59 and this core is provided with a shaft or pintle 60, the opposite ends of the pintle are engaged in one pair of a plurality of holes iii in the upwardly extending portions 55 of the side walls of the follower. A plurality of pairs ofholes 6| are provided so that the spool may be positioned in accordance with the diameter of the roll of tape.

The underside of the floor 54a of the follower 54 is provided withspaced longitudinal ribs 62 and these ribs preferably extend around the right hand end of the floor as shown in Figsfll and 8. extended around this right hand end ofrthe floor of the follower and overthe top of the supply of cement and through the compression chamber and slot 52, so that it device as required.

may be withdrawn from the The'ribs 62 on the follower are for the purpose of spacing the tape from the floor of the follower to thereby provide less fricto enable adhesive" to be pressed upwardly through the perforations in the tape, as the tape is drawn thereover.

It will be apparent that as the tape is pulled from the device, it tends to compress the adhesive adjacentthe discharge end of the container as shown at 64, and the cement will also be comalong the line of is pressed and. smoothedsagainst the wall surface. 5 -It willbe understood, of'course; thatthe -arclb ate surface 5| of the blo ck' lli maybe usedwxas a spatula to'press and smooth the-tapelagainstthe wall in the samemanner asspatula ilifl ofthe previously described embodiment. The block-48 may be extended any desireddistance-and;shaped as required for proper application orthetape-on' side walls or in corners. -.'If desired, an outwardly and upwardly extending spatula may be mounted on the end of the container in thesamemanvner as previously described. In the latter case thecurved surface 5| of the block assists in preventing the abrupt bending of the tape over the .edge of the'spatula.

The deviceordinarily does not need any spring tion; however, if desired, tension springs maybe connectedbetween' the follower and the container in substantially the same manner as described for theprevious embodiment, so that the follower is yieldablypressed at all times against the cement. This spring-pressed construction is-someand thumb gripped over the: projecting ends of "claimed and desired to be'secured byLetters Patcut is:

modifications times desirable when the device is used for applying tape to ceilings. g The device is usually heldwith the palm ofathe left hand under the bottom wall with-'the flngers the plate 43.3 A spatula or the like-may be held in the right hand to simultaneously' press the tape against a wall joint as the tape is withdrawn from the die; however, it has been found that the use of 'a cushion-like pad. such, for instance-as crumpled paper or other fabric is preferable. The 7 the tape uniformly and crumpled fabric presses smoothly into intimate contact with the wall, even over slight surface irregularities.

It is contemplated that the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, and previously described, may be used in the same manner as the embodiment Fig. '7; that is, the spatula may be omitted and the tape applied to the wall by means .of a crumpled fabric or the like.

It is intended, of course, thatthelinventlon should not be limited to the specific embodiment or embodiments disclosed herein, since modifications may be made, and it is contemplated, therefore, by the appended claims to cover any such scope of this invention.

Having thus described this invention what is 1. In the building art-,.the method (if-applying building tape to 'wallioints comprising movinga body of adhesive adjacent a wall and substantially parallel with a wall joint and simultaneously drawing a strip of tape in intimate contact with said adhesive to form a coating thereon and substantially simultaneously pressing said tape on pressed'in the small chamber :5flformedby the the 'wall joint whi e the itape in operating posishown in as fall within the true spiritand mediate longitudinally extended parallel with a wall joint and simultaneously drawing a strip of tape in intimate contact with 7 said adhesive to form a coating thereon'and substantially simultaneously pressing said tape on said wall bywiping contact with a crumpled fabric .pad.

3. In, the building art, the method of covering wall-board joints with tape comprising drawing \tapefacross the surface of a supply of viscous adhesive under pressure against said adhesive, simultaneously pulling said tape through a die to form the adhering adhesive into a coating of predetermined thickness with an intermediate rib of materially greater thickness, and continuously applying the tape while being drawn from said dietoa Wall joint.

' '4. Inthebuilding art, the method of covering materially greater thickness, and continuously applying the tape while being drawnifrom said die toga, wall joint with said thick rib of adhesive coincident with the joint line, and pressing said .tape*snugly against said wall-boardby a wiping pressure with a crumpled fabric.

A'ha'nd portable unit of thecharacter described comprising an'adhesive container, means for-supporting a-supply of'tape'so that a portion of'sai'dtape is continuously pressed against a surfaceof adhesive in said container so that said tape receives a continuous coating of adhesive as it is withdrawn from said supplypmeans adjacent "the" point of withdrawal .of said tape to form a coating ofadhesive onlsaid tape having a central intermediate longitudinally extended portion thicker than the remainder thereof, and means 'tb'guide said tape for application to a wall sur- 5' face as said unit is moved over said wall surface.

6. In 'a hand portable unit for applying adhesive to building tape, a container for a viscous adhesive, means to support a supply of tape,

. means to continuously press a portion of said tape against a surface of said adhesive as said tape is withdrawn from said supply, and means -to simultaneously apply aform-retaining adhesive coating on saidtape having a central interportion thicker than the remainder-thereof. "7. A hand portable unit for adhesively applying building tape to walls, comprising means for supporting a body of adhesive, means for supporting a roll of tape, means for guiding said tape from said roll against one side of said adhesive body I saidunit over said wall.

to a point of application, and means for placing 9. Apparatus for applying adhesive to building 76 said wall joint by wiping contact with a cushionlike means. 2. In' the building art, the method of applying f building tape to wall joints comprising moving a body of adhesive adjacent a wall and substantially tape comprising a container for a supply of adhesive, means for rotatably supporting a roll of tape so that its peripheral surface substantially closes an opening in said container and is in continuous contact with the adhesive therein so that a coating of adhesive is applied to said tape as the tape is pulled from said roll, and means to retain said roll surface insubstantially the same relationship to said opening and said adhesive irrespective of the withdrawal of tape from said roll.

10. Apparatus for applying adhesive to building tape comprising a container for a supply of adhesive, means for rotatably supporting a roll of tape so that its peripheral surface substantially closes an opening in said container and is in continuous contact with the adhesive therein, so that a coating of adhesive is applied to said tape as the tape is pulled from said roll, and means to retain said roll surface in substantially the same relationship to said opening and said adhesive irrespective of the withdrawal of tape from said roll, the edge of said opening being of a contour to form a transversely non-uniform coating of compressed form-retaining adhesive on said tape during withdrawal thereof.

11. A hand portable cement applicator for building tape comprising a container, means to support a roll of tape yieldably against an, opening in the bottom of said container so that said tape continuously forms a closure for said opening as the tape is unwound, a wall of said containerbeing formed adjacent said tape to provide a slot therebetween so that a" relatively thick cement coating is formed on said tape as it is withdrawn from said spool, and means tending to press said'roll toward said container opening as tape is unwound from said roll.

12. In a hand portable tape cementing and applying unit for building tape; a narrow container substantially the same width as said tape and having an arcuate open bottom, a tape spool having side flanges overlapping said side walls, the bottom of said container conforming generally to the arcuate edges of said side walls so that tape wound on said spool continuously substantially closes the bottom t-of said container irrespective of withdrawal of said tape, and resilient means tensioning said spool and tape thereon against the arcuate open bottom of said container so that said tape may be pulled from said spool under one of the end walls of said container.

13. In a hand portable tape cementing and applying unit for building tape, a narrow container substantially the same width as said tape and having an arcuate openbottom, a tape spool having side flanges overlapping said side walls, the bottom of said container conforming generally to arcuate edges of said side walls so that tape wound on said spool continuously substantially closes the bottom of said container irrespective of withdrawal of said tape, and resilient means tensioning said spool and tape thereon against the arcuate open bottom of said container so that said tape may be pulled from said. spool under one of the end walls of said container, said end wall being formed to provide a slot between said tape and the bottom edge of said wall and being positioned relative to the arcuate surface of said tape to provide'a compression chamber for said adhesive adjacent said slot.

14. In a hand portable tape cementing and applying unit for building tape, a narrow container substantially the same width as said tape aseaeu and having an arcuate open bottom, a tape spool having side flanges overlapping said side walls,

of withdrawal of said tape, resilient means tensioning said spool and tape thereon against the arcuate open bottom of said container so that said tape may be pulled from said spool under one of the end walls of said container, said end.

wall being formed to provide a' slot between said tape and the bottom edge of said wall and being positioned relative to the arcuate surface of said tape to provide a compression chamber for said adhesive adjacent said slot, and a spatula-like member extending from the opposite end of said unit to enable said tape to be passed thereover and pressed to a wall thereby.

15. In a hand portable tape cementing and applying unit, a generally rectangular cement container for a supply of viscous cement, said container being substantially the same width as said tape and having an arcuate open bottom, a tape spool having wide flanges snugly embracing said side walls, means to continuously tension said spool toward said container so that tape wound thereon continuously substantially closes said open bottom, means to form a coating of cement of predetermined thickness and contour on one side of said tape as it is drawn from said spool, and means for spacing said spool from said container against said tension to enable tape to bewoundpon said spool.

16. A cement applicator for building tape comprising a container having an arcuate open bottom adapted to receive the periphery of a roll of tape to substantially close said bottom opening and support a supply of cement on said tape, means for tensioning a roll of tape against said container to continuously substantially close said opening as said tape is pulled from under an end wall of said container, and means for interchangeably mounting a spatula-like member on said container in a position for said tape to extend thereover as it is withdrawn from said spool.

comprising an elongated container for adhesive,

a follower in said container, said follower being constructed and related to said container to enable said tape to be drawn between said follower and said adhesive under pressure on said ad- 1 hesive, said container having an opening through one end adjacent the bottom of said container,:

said opening forming a reduced chamber for adhesive confined under pressure by said tape, said pressure chamber terminating in an outlet slot for said tape, said slot being of a predetermined contour to provide a compressed coating of adhesive on the underside of said tape, said coatin being materially thicker adjacent the center of 9 said tape than adjacent the edges.

20. An adhesive applicator for building tape comprising a container for a supply of viscous adhesive, a wall of said container having an opening therethrough below the normal surface of said adhesive, and means to press building tape on the upper surface of said adhesive with said tape extended through said opening, said opening forming a generally tapered compression chamber below said tape terminating in a narrow slot through which said tape extends, the upper edge of said opening forming a scraping and smoothing surface for the top surface of said tape as it is drawn from said slot.

21. In an adhesive applicator for perforated building tape, a container for a supply of adhesive, means to support a supply of tape with the free end extending over the surface of said adhesive and in intimate contact therewith and 1'7. A cement applicator for building tape comof tape to substantially close said bottom opening and support a supply of cement on said tape, means for tensioning a roll of tape against said container to continuously substantially close said opening as said tape is pulled from under an end wall of said container, a handle adjacent said end wall, and an outwardly extending spatula mounted onthe opposite end of said container and adapted to engage said tape asit is unwound and applied to a wall.

18. A cement applicator for building tape comprising a container fora supply of adhesive, a follower adapted to be supported on said adhesive, means to rotatably support a roll of tape on said follower, said follower being constructed to enable the free end of said tape to extend thereunder and between said follower and said 19. An adhesive applicator for building tape through a slot in the wall of said container, said .slot being formed to provide a tapered compression chamber under said tape and a, scraper above said tape, and means to continuously press said tape against said adhesive in a manner to enable said adhesive to be extruded upwardly through said perforations.

22. In an adhesive applicator for building tape, a narrow elongated container for adhesive, said container having an opening through an end walladjacent the bottom wall, a pair of compression blocks associated with said opening and formed to provide a tapered continuation of said opening between said blocks and terminating in a narrow slot for the passage of a tape and a coating of adhesive thereon, means toremovably secure said blocks to said container, one of said blocks having an arcuate outer surface for pulling tape thereover from said slot.

23. In an adhesive applicator for building tape comprising a container fora supply of viscous adhesive, a wall of said container having a die therein below the normal surface of said adhesive, and means to press atape against the upper surface of said adhesive while said tape is being drawn through said die.

24. A hand portable building tape applying unit comprising adhesive containing means, means for supporting tape. in pressure-applying position with respect to said adhesive, means for withdrawing said tape from said unit for application to a wall joint, said tape having said adhesive 

